Garment form retainers



Aug. 4, 1964 F. Y. SHERBONDY GARMENT FORM RETAINERS Filed 001;. 3, 1963 Frank )(Sherbohdy INVENTOR BY ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,143,266 GARMENT FORM RETRS Frank Y. Sherhondy, P30. Box 10236, San Antonio, Tex. Filed Oct. 3, 1953, Ser. No. 313,669 4 Claims. (Cl. 223-71) This invention relates to garment form retaining devices for use with garments having overlapping front panels. More particularly, this invention is an improvement upon the garment form retaining devices which are the subject of my United States Patents Nos. 2,641,390, issued June 9, 1953, 2,975,948, issued March 21, 1961, and 3,091,376, issued May 28, 1963.

Garment form retaining devices of the types presented in the above cited patents are adapted to hold the front panels of a coat, or the like, in a position where the panels are in overlapping relation when the coat is placed on a hanger so as to prevent sagging and deformation of the coat. Such garment form retaining devices comprises an elongated fiat body for insertion between the overlapping front portions of the garment, and carry thereon (a) means in the form of a flap for coupling the devices with a buttonhole on one front portion of the garment, and (b) means in the form of slotted openings for coupling the device with a button on the other front portion of the garment.

In the earliest of my aforesaid patents, the flap arrangement is so arranged that it can be used with garments having various size buttonholes, but still, the integral connection between the flap thereof and main body thereof is comparatively narrow whereby there is some tendency for the flap to tear from the body. In the second of my aforesaid patents, perforations are provided along the connection between the flap and the body of the retainer so as to permit adjustment of such connection depending on the size of the buttonhole, and so as to thereby partially eliminate the tearing problem. In the third of my aforesaid patents, the flap is so arranged that it has upwardly extending wings and a generally semi-circular lower portion whereby the wings cooperate with the lower portion to maintain the fiaps in engagement with a buttonhole. While positive securing with this type of arrangement, and with the button receiving means thereon, proves desirable, the form retainer still is not specifically adapted to accommodate buttonholes of varying size.

Accordingly, the primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved garment form retaining device including an elongate body portion and a flap inte rally secured thereto, but wherein the flap is so formed as to readily accommodate buttonholes of varying size, without adversely afiecting the connection between the flap and the body of the garment form retainer.

More specifically, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide in a garment form retaining device which comprises an elongate relatively stiff but flexible body, an improved flap construction integrally connected therewith for positively coupling the retaining device with buttonholes of varying size by virtue of positive engagemeri of aligned flap recesses within the buttonhole.

Still further, yet other more specific objects of the present invention include: (a) the provision of a garment form retaining device comprising an elongate body having a flap integrally connected therewith, which flap has side edges converging inwardly from the connection of the flap with the body whereby the flap can easily be fitted within buttonholes of varying size; (b) the provision of such a garment form retainer wherein the side edges of the flap carry aligned recesses, disposed in pairs, so as to engage a buttonhole and maintain the same in positive engagement with the flap, and thereby with the form retainer; (c) the provision of such a form retainer ice which includes button receiving means thereon spaced from the flap whereby a button can be inserted within the button receiving means, and the flap can be adjustably inserted within varying size buttonholes, all while still maintaining proper alignment of the form retaining device with respect to the garment on which it is used; (d) the provision of such an improved garment form retainer which can be formed from inexpensive materials, such as heavy stiff paper and/or cardboard, and which can be manufactured quite easily so as to be available at low cost for wide-spread commercial use.

The invention lies in the construction, combination, and arrangement of the garment form retainer expedients which are preferably provided on a single blank of material. The invention will be better understood, and objects other than those specifically set forth above will become apparent, when consideration is given to the following detailed description of the illustrative and preferred embodiments presented in the annexed drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of a garment having operatively positioned thereon a garment form retainer constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is an elevational view of the preferred form of garment form retainer device presented by the present invention; and

FIGURE 3 is a fragmental detailed elevational view presenting in detail a modified flap construction Which may be used in accordance with this invention.

For purposes of simplicity, reference is first made to FIGURE 2 presenting the preferred garment form retainer provided by the present invention. In such figure, the retainer is generally designated by the numeral 2 and is formed as an elongated fiat body, plate or card 4 which is made of any suitable yieldable but relatively stiff material, such as cardboard, flexible plastic, or the like. The body 4 is cut along the line 6 to form a flap generally designated by the numeral 8, which flap has a generally semi-circular lower edge portion 10 which leads into side edge portions 12 and 14 that generally diverge upwardly toward the axis A where the flap is swingably joined with the body 4. More particularly, the side edges 12 and 14 have means axes extending in converging relation toward one another from the axis A, the axes of the side edges being designated in FIGURE 2 respectively as S1 and S2.

Aligned pairs of recesses 16-16a, 18-18a and 20-20a are provided in the side edges 12 and 14 respectively. The recesses are aligned with one another along axes extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body 4, and each pair of recesses, as shown, presents a wider portion of the flap between its inner edges. Thus, the recesses 16-1611 accommodate smaller buttonholes, the recesses 13-18a accommodat slightly larger buttonholes, and the recesses 2949a accommodate even slightly larger buttonholes.

The flap 8 is swingable outwardly from the body 4 along the integral connection at the axis A so that the flap can be easily inserted and adjustably positioned in the buttonhole, depending on the size thereof. It is to be noted in this regard that the semi-circular shaped lower edge portion 10 of the flap facilitates insertion thereof within a buttonhole.

The body of the retainer 2 is also provided with two button receiving openings generally designated by the numerals 21 and 30, as shown in FIGURE 2. Each opening comprises an aperture in the body 4 and a plurality of slits in the body 4 extending radially from the center of the aperture. The opening 21 includes the aperture 22 and the slits 24 which are cut in the body 4, and whose outer ends terminate equidistantly from the center of the circular aperture 22. The opening 30 similarly comprises an aperture 32 and a plurality of radial slits 34 extending y from the circular aperture 32 and terminating equidistantly from the center thereof.

It will be appreciated that the cutting of the body 4 so as to provide the flap 8 constructed as described, and so as to provide the openings 21 and 30 constructed as described, can be achieved by utilizing a suitable knife die which is lowered under pressure onto a blank, or sheet of blank material. 7

The embodiment of the present invention presented FIGURE 3 is quite similar to the embodiment presented in FIGURE 2. As opposed to having three pairs of aligned recesses in the side edges of the flap, however, the flap of the embodiment of FIGURE 3 only has two such pairs of aligned recesses, namely, the recesses 16'16a' and 1818a'. Otherwise, the arrangement of FIGURE 3 conforms with the arrangement of FIGURE 2. The arrangement of FIGURE 3 is preferred because of its somewhat simpler construction in eliminating one pair of aligned recesses, but for universal adaptability, it has been found that the arrangement of FIGURE 3 is probably most acceptable.

Regardless ofwhether the arrangement of FIGURE 2 or the arrangement of FIGURE 3 is used, the flap 8 is in each instance elongated, with its longitudinal axis, i.e., the axis F as shown in FIGURES 2 and 3, extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the body 4. Moreover, the geometric center C of the flap 8 is preferably disposed on the center longitudinal axis of the body, i.e., the axis B as shown in FIGURES 2 and 3.

The reason for aligning the geometric center of the flap, or the longitudinal center thereof in any event, with the longitudinal axis of the body 4 is to permit substantially equal spacing of the various recesses above and below the longitudinal axis of the body whereby the same need not be tilted in operation. Where three pairs of recesses are used, the central axis B of the body should extend through the second pair of recesses, i.e., the recesses 16-16a as shown in FIGURE 2. Where two pairs of aligned recesses are used, then the longitudinal center axis of the body should extend between such pairs of recesses equadistant from each.

The manner in which the invention is applied to a garment is illustrated in FIGURE 1 wherein a typical suit coat 60 is shown having overlapping front portions 62 and 64. Buttonholes 66, 66' are disposed adjacent the longitudinal edge 68 of portion 64, and buttons 70 and 70 are attached to portion 62 adjacent the longitudinal edge 74 thereof by any suitable well known means such as by thread or the like. Buttons 70 and 70 cooperate with but-ton holes 66 and 66' respectively to secure the garment on an individual.

When the garment form retainer is used, the buttons and buttonholes do not cooperate with each other, but instead cooperate with the retainer. More specifically, when a garment has been pressed, and it is desired to place the same on a hanger and maintain the overlapping front portions in the position shown in FIGURE 1, then the retainer is inserted under the portion 64 and over the portion 62. The flap of the retainer, having been bent outwardly of the body of the retainer, is passed through the buttonhole 66'. Such flap is moved so that the aligned recesses therein accommodate the particular size buttonhole in question, and once this is accomplished, the button hole is positively secured to the flap 8.

Next, the button 70 is passed through either the opening 21 or the opening 30 on the body 4, depending on the particular garment, and the degree of overlapping desired. As shown in FIGURE 1, the button 70' is passed through the opening 30. This is achieved by pressing the button sidewardly between a pair of slits extending diametrically through the aperture 32. After the button has been passed through the opening 30, and released, it overlies the aperture 32, and at least a portion of each of the slits 34. It should be understood that the aperture 32 is large enough to readily permit passing a button through the opening 30, but small enough so that the button completely overlies the same. Of course, once the button has been passed through the opening 30, or the opening 21, the thread holding the button to the garment or other securing means, extends through the aperture portion of the opening.

When the garment retainer is in operative position, the flap 8 is disposed in front of the portion 64 of the garment, as shown. The body of the retainer is disposed between the portion 64 and the portion 62. The button 70', having been passed from the rear side of the retainer through the appropriate opening to the front side thereof, is disposed between the underside of portion 64 and the retainer body 4.

While I have shown the openings 21 and 30 in the embodiment of the present invention presented in the drawings, it is to be understood that an elongate slot having mating side edges and an opening intermediate the ends thereof, as shown in certain of my prior patents, could be used in place of such openings. Still, such slot would be disposed centrally of the body portion, so that the center of the longitudinalaxis of the flap 8 is disposed in alignment with the slotted opening, just as it is disposed in alignment with the button-receiving openings disposed on the center axis of the body, as shown in the annexed FIG- URES.

After considering the foregoing detailed description and the preferred embodiments of the invention, it should be apparent that the objects set forth at the outset of this specification have been successfully achieved. Accordingly- What is claimed is:

1. A form retainer for a coat garment, said garment having overlapping front portions with at least one buttonhole on one portion, and at least one button on the other portion, said retainer comprising an elongated flat rectangular body of yieldable material for insertion between the overlapping front portions of the garment, said body being cut whereby an elongate flap is coupled to said body by a connection integral with said flap and said body, said flap being swingable outwardly from said body about an axis defined by said connection, said connection extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of said body, said flap being positioned inwardly of an end of said body and adapted for engagement in said buttonhole, said flap having its longitudinal axis extending at least substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of said body, said body also having at least two button receiving openings therein spaced longitudinally from said flap, from one another and from the ends of said body, each of said openings comprising a circular aperture in said body and a series of straight slits in said body extending radially from said circular aperture and having one end opening directly into said circular aperture, said slits being equally arcuately spaced from one another around said aperture, the majority of said slits being angularly disposed to the longitudinal axis of said body, all of said slits terminating at least substantially equidistantly from the center of the said circular aperture, said flap having side edges which converge inwardly toward one another from said connection, said flap having a plurality of aligned pairs of recesses in said edges whereby said flap is adapted to move within buttonholes of varying size with one pair of aligned recesses in the side edges thereof accommodating the buttonhole in accordance with its size.

2. A garment form retainer as defined in claim 1 Wherein the longitudinal center of said flap is coincident with the longitudinal axis of said body.

3. A form retainer for a coat garment, said garment having overlapping front portions with at least one buttonhole on one portion, and at least one button on the other portion, said retainer comprising an elongated flat rectangular body of yieldable material for insertion between the overlapping front portions of the garment, said body being cut whereby an elongate flap is coupled to said body by a connection integral with said flap and said body,

and..."

5 said flap being swingable outwardly from said body, about an axis defined by said connection, said connection extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of said body, said flap being positioned inwardly of an end of said body and adapted for engagement in said buttonhole, said flap having its longitudinal axis extending at least substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of said body, said body also having button receiving means thereon spaced longitudinally from said flap and from the ends of said body, said flap having side edges which converge inwardly toward one another from said connection, said flap having aligned pairs of recesses in said edges whereby said flap is adapted to move within buitonholes of varying size with one pair of aligned recesses in the side edges thereof accommodating the buttonhole in accordance with its size.

4. A garment form retainer as defined in claim 3, wherein the longitudinal center of said flap is coincident with the longitudinal axis of said body and wherein all recesses on said body spaced from the longitudinal axis thereof are equa-distant therefrom.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,040,940 Richardson June 26, 1962 3,091,376 Sherbondy May 28, 1963 

1. A FORM RETAINER FOR A COAT GARMENT, SAID GARMENT HAVING OVERLAPPING FRONT PORTIONS WITH AT LEAST ONE BUTTONHOLE ON ONE PORTION, AND AT LEAST ONE BUTTON ON THE OTHER PORTION, SAID RETAINER COMPRISING AN ELONGATED FLAT RECTANGULAR BODY OF YIELDABLE MATERIAL FOR INSERTION BETWEEN THE OVERLAPPING FRONT PORTIONS OF THE GARMENT, SAID BODY BEING CUT WHEREBY AN ELONGATE FLAP IS COUPLED TO AID BODY BY A CONNECTION INTEGRAL WITH SAID FLAP AND SAID BODY, SAID FLAP BEING SEINGABLE OUTWARDLY FROM SAID BODY ABOUT AN AXIS DEFINED BY SAID CONNECTION, SAID CONNECTION EXTENDING PARALLEL TO THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF SAID BODY, SAID FLAP BEING POSITIONED INWARDLY OF AN END OF SAID BODY AND ADAPTED FOR ENGAGEMENT IN SAID BUTTONHOLE, SAID FLAP HAVING ITS LONGITUDINAL AXIS EXTENDING AT LEAST SUBSTANTIALLY PERPENDICULARLY TO THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF SAID BODY, SAID BODY ALSO HAVING AT LEAST TWO BUTTON RECEIVING OPENINGS THEREIN SAPCED LONGITUDINALLY FROM SAID FLAP, FROM ONE ANOTHER AND FROM THE ENDS OF SAID BODY, EACH OF SAID OPENINGS COMPRISING A CIRCULAR APERTURE IN SAID BODY AND A SERIES OF STRAIGHT SLITS IN SAID BODY EXTENDING RADIALLY FROM SAID CIRCULAR APERTURE AND HAVING ONE END OPENING DIRECTLY INTO SAID CIRCULAR APERTURE, SAID SLITS BEING EQUALLY ARCUATELY SPACED FROM ONE ANOTHER AROUND SAID APERTURE, THE MAJORITY OF SAID SLITS BEING ANGULARLY DISPOSED TO THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF SAID BODY, ALL OF SAID SLITS TERMINATING AT LEAST SUBSTANTIALLY EQUIDISTANTLY FROM THE CENTER OF THE SAID CIRCULAR APERTURE, SAID FLAP HAVING SIDE EDGES WHICH CONVERGE INWARDLY TOWARD ONE ANOTHER FROM SAID CONNECTION, SAID FLAP HAVING A PLURALITY OF ALIGNED PAIRS OF RECESSES IN SAID EDGES WHEREBY SAID FLAP IS ADAPTED TO MOVE WITHIN BUTTONHOLES OF VARYING SIZE WITH ONE PAIR OF ALIGNED RECESSES IN THE SIDE EDGES THEREOF ACCOMMODATING THE BUTTONHOLE IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS SIZE. 